In an unknown time period, in an unknown province near the Kingdom of Franchia, there lived a girl named Jeanne. She was known for being a strange child who often spoke of mysterious premonitions about the future. Most people dismissed them as the delusions of a child seeking attention and affection.
"When the people of Britagian attack us, I will be the one to defend our province and our people."
"Yeah, right. Such unladylike behavior is unbecoming of a woman. All you need to do is get married and have as many sons as possible."
"Who cares what you say? In my sleep, I heard the Lord speaking to me," she said, pointing her finger at the sun, her face filled with resolve.
Out of nowhere, the sunlight grew brighter and brighter until it split into multiple shooting stars that shone with increasing brilliance as they neared the earth. All the children ran away, with the sole exception of Jeanne, who ran after the brightest star.
Her short legs somehow managed to carry her for quite a long distance.
BBBVVVRRRROOOMMMMM!
The impact of a massive object moving at incredible speed and striking the earth could be heard and felt throughout at least five city-states. Within the crater lay a man with burnt-chocolate skin and hair the color of the purest gold. His lean, compact frame exuded power, but the characteristic that set him apart from others was the pair of burnt-orange wings that spread warmth throughout the surrounding area.
The girl approached the body cautiously, moving slowly as if not to wake the being. As she drew near, she felt something "speaking" to her—a sort of sixth sense that told her the best course of action in every situation. Even while asleep, she could hear it. This was a gift granted to her by the Most High.
"MMHHMM..."
The being began shifting into different positions as though mired in discomfort. The girl slowed her pace even further. When she finally stood before him, she tried to pick him up, but she was too weak to carry him.
Falling into deep thought, she began to hear and see the voice guiding her toward her next actions.
Within a few minutes, she had fashioned a makeshift platform from leaves, vines, and whatever else she could find. She immediately placed it beneath the man and secured him to it by wrapping vines around him.
With great difficulty, the girl began climbing out of the crater.
"How will the village react when I bring him back? Would it be better to hide him unless something unwanted happens?"
With those thoughts swirling through her mind, she began searching for things she could use to cover the being.
"Jeanne! Jeanne! Has anyone seen my daughter? I've been looking for her since this morning," asked an average Franchian woman with blonde hair and sky-blue eyes that shone with worry for her beloved child.
"I don't know, miss. The last time I saw her, she was heading deeper into the forest where the stars fell."
"Thank you. I should ask Chasseur if he's willing to help me find her."
As the woman contemplated a way to find her daughter, she, like everyone else, failed to notice the small girl dragging behind her an assortment of flowers. The flowers began to shift and move as the person hidden within them awoke from his slumber.
"MMhhm... Where am I?" I asked the presence I felt the moment I awoke. For some reason, the presence immediately began to tremble.
"I-I-I, um... you are in one of the many villages of the Kingdom of Franchia."
"And who are you? And why am I buried in flowers?" I asked in a tired tone.
"Jeanne, sir. My name is Jeanne. And yours?"
I rose from the bed of flowers. Using my light manipulation, I reflected the light around me and the flowers, creating a domineering image while also dispelling the illusion of my grown-up body.
"My lady, the name of this lowly boy is Riser Phoenix."
I expected her to look at me with reverence, but to my surprise, she started muttering something about how my name signified the rebirth of the Kingdom of Franchia and that I was a key sent by the Big G to set these events into motion.
I looked at her, somewhat baffled, unsure of what to do next.
"Could you come with me to my house?" asked the girl, who looked slightly older than me.
We traveled through the shadows where no one could see us. Eventually, we arrived at the northern edge of the village.
Should I add her to my peerage? After all, it's better to start when they're young.
"So, do you know how to fight?" she asked, pressing her fingers together. Her eyes never lingered in one place for long.
"Yes, I can. Why do you ask?"
"Yes! I was right! Then could you teach me?" she asked, jumping up and down with excitement.
We entered an almost dilapidated house with little separation between the rooms beyond a hanging cloth. The toilet and bath were outside, from what I could see and sense.
"Wait here. I'll be right back."
She soon returned carrying two wooden swords. Pointing one toward me, she began to move.
"Come, Fallen One. Today we begin the making of history—one far greater than that of King Arthur."
She might be the one—my knight, the one destined to cut down my enemies with the swiftness of wind and lightning. I should find the perfect opportunity to make her part of my peerage.